Coach Victor Martinez

victor1-682x1024Víctor Martínez-Díaz’s journey crossfitting has been one that has taken off almost immediately. He started CrossFit back in 2013 and since then hasn’t looked back! “I’ve most definitely been drinking the kool-aid. Since I started training on my own at my college wellness center, every single WOD has added an extra motivation to my life.”  One year into CrossFit Víctor earned his L-1 certification at Crossfit Reebok One in Canton, MA. He has been a part-time coach at CF Southie for almost a year “Im proud to call the coaches here my mentors. They are people I admire because of how effortless they make it look to give to others. They genuinely care about other progress.”  Along with developing his coaching Vìctor is working on earning his CrossFit Kids certification as well. Check out our Coach’s Corner interview below to learn more about Victor!

Victor

-Coach’s Corner-
Classes you currently coach?
You can find me rocking out with the 6pm & 7pm crews on Thursday nights!

Years as a crossfitter and coach?
I am going on my 5th year on this CrossFit journey. I think 3-4 years as a coach.

Your favorite part of being a crossfit coach?
For a long time I believed that everything that I did in my life had to be perfect and that I couldn’t afford to show any vulnerability if I wanted to get a head. Growing up where I did (Roxbury) anything other than perfect could cost you everything. This was also true when it came to my baseball career; one mistake at practice or a game could cost me my starting position. My favorite thing about CrossFit is being able to embrace my shortcomings and embracing the journey that comes with getting better at them. I love helping people do the same. It hypes me up when someone comes in saying “I have no clue how to do (insert daunting task)”, and by the end of the class they are banging out rep after rep of that movement. I love seeing people get a win, no matter how small or big.

Your Favorite WOD and Movement?
I love snatching. Its a great demonstration of strength, mobility, power, speed among other things.

Victor

Athletic background (sports you played in high school and/or college)
Baseball was a big part of my life growing up. I played in middle school, starting outfielder all 4 years of high school. I also played AAU. I played professionally for a few years for the LA Angels in the Dominican Republic.

Small piece of advice for Newbies and/or Veteran athletes
Be patient, and have fun with it. Whether you want to do CrossFit recreationally or competitively this kind of training is going to exponentially increase your quality of life. If you show up and be strategic about how you put in the work, you will see the results in both regards.

Fun Fact most people don’t know about you?
Mentioned previously, I played baseball professionally in another country.

What you enjoy about the CFS Community?
I enjoy seeing people overcome their doubts and fears in order to simply just be better every day. I enjoy always knowing that I will be challenged to be and do better as a coach athlete and human being.

Favorite Southie Social Event
My favorite CFS Social has to be the Internal Throwdown. There is something about this event that feels like one of our bigger events like the Southie Showdown. The Internal Throwdown is still low key to the point where you see people just being casual with each other even during competition.